Call for Applications for the International Buyer Program Select for Quarters 2 and 3 Calendar Year 2019

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), International Trade Administration (ITA) announces that it will accept applications for the International Buyer Program (IBP) Select for quarters 2 and 3 of calendar year 2019 (April 1, 2019, through September 30, 2019). The IBP Select is currently undergoing a program review that may result in new ITA products and services for trade shows and it will take ITA some time to implement the recommended changes. Therefore, IBP is only moving forward with the current program until September 30, 2019. Should the program review result in new ITA products and services for trade shows, they will be announced separately in the Federal Register. This announcement sets out the objectives, procedures and application review criteria for IBP Select. Under IBP Select, ITA recruits international buyers to U.S. trade shows to meet with U.S suppliers exhibiting at those shows. The main difference between IBP and IBP Select is that IBP offers worldwide promotion, whereas IBP Select focuses on promotion and recruitment in up to five international markets. Specifically, through the IBP Select, the DOC selects domestic trade shows that will receive ITA services in the form of targeted promotion and recruitment in up to five foreign markets, as well as export counseling to exhibitors at the trade show. This notice covers selection for IBP Select participation during quarters 2 and 3 of calendar year 2019.